Firecracker 100 At SSP On Independence Day
By Ben Deatherage
Banks, Oregon- The very popular Independence Day Firecracker 100 will be back at Sunset Speedway Park on July 4th. The Northwest Extreme Late Model Series will headline the event while the IMCA Modifieds, Street Stocks, and 4-Bee divisions will also be on hand. Late Models have participated on or around our nation’s birth date for the several years with the exception of 2011 when it was a part of the Northwest Street Stock Nationals. The event has varied from 150 to 100 laps on occasions but has stuck to 100 laps for the past four years.
“This is always a well attended event and is a lot of fun,” commented Charlie Weaver longtime announcer at Sunset Speedway Park, “it’s a great outing for families to show up to with great racing and always a wonderful fireworks display.”
Greg Walters has won three times since 2007 while Brandon Lindberg picked up a win in the rain shortened 2008 edition. Last year Jerry Schram was the winner which saw the aforementioned series race against the DIRTcar Super Late Model chauffeurs that regularly inhabit the Willamette Speedway in Lebanon.
The Sunset Speedway Park is located just west of the Portland metro area in Banks on the Sunset Highway. From April until October you can get your racing fix at this facility which competes weekly primarily on Saturday nights. Regular classes in action include the NW Extreme Winged Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds, Street Stocks, 4-Bee’s, NW Extreme Modifieds, and the Womens division. The facility will see several appearances by the touring NW Extreme Late Model Series as well as the Northwest Wingless Tour and the WMRA/USAC Midgets. To stay up to date with the latest information regarding this wonderful facility log on to http://www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.
Past Firecracker 100 Winners:
2012- Jerry Schram
2011- Jesse Freeman (Street Stocks)
2010- Greg Walters
2009- Greg Walters
2008- Brandon Lindberg*
2007- Greg Walters*
*- Denotes races that were billed as Firecracker 150